Threat to factory jobs

MORE than 200 jobs are at risk at a forklift truck factory after the owners announced plans to close it.

MORE than 200 jobs are at risk at a forklift truck factory after the owners announced plans to close it.

Owners Kion said the Linde Heavy Truck Division in Merthyr Tydfil had not made a profit since 2007.

They cited bad business conditions as leaving them with no other choice.

In a statement, Gordon Riske, chief executive officer of Kion Group, said: “Despite all possible efforts, including a sustained period of restructuring since 2007, the site has never reached profitability in the face of strong macro-economic headwinds.

“With much regret, the Kion board has decided to enter into consultation about the potential closure of the site in order to ensure the future competitiveness and long-term sustainability of the group.”

The Merthyr site’s entire workforce is under threat, including those in manufacturing, engineering, sales, service and administration.

A 90-day consultation period is set to begin, with the company promising opportunities for vacancies at other sites in the UK, alongside working with employees and representatives for redundancy packages.

It is understood the factory has work on its books for most of 2013, meaning even if the factory were marked for closure, operations may still continue there for several months afterwards.

It is the latest in a long line of blows for Merthyr’s industrial workforce.

Recent years have seen the closures of the likes of the famous Hoover plant, where 337 jobs were lost, and 146 redundancies at aerosol packaging plant Ardagh.

Huw Lewis, AM for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney, has already contacted Minister for Business Edwina Hart about the potential closure, branding it a “major blow” to the town’s economy and workforce.

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